Eight Questions to Ask Before Renting an RV Space

With summer vacation season right around the corner, many RV owners may be making plans to take their rigs out on the road. Whether you’re planning on a one-stop vacation or taking a scenic tour of the west coast, here are some questions you should ask an RV park before making a reservation.

1. What amenities are available in or near the park?

Common amenities include bathrooms with hot water, playgrounds, swimming pools, and laundry facilities. Some parks have access to features like hiking trails, water sports, fishing, and other activities. Families traveling with young children may also want to ask whether there is space available for riding bikes or tossing a ball. Travelers of all ages often what to know what restaurants are nearby.

If there’s a specific amenity you’re looking for, be sure to ask about it before you make a reservation.

2. Who typically visits your park?

Couples looking to get away might prefer an RV park that isn’t frequented by families with young children, while families traveling with small kids might want to be sure their children can run and play outdoors without disturbing other guests.

In addition, park spaces in some resorts may be occupied by full-time residents, so you might also inquire about how many spaces in the resort are used for short-term rentals.

3. What hookups are available?

Options include:

• Full hookups, allowing you to connect your RV to the site’s electricity, water, and sewer;
• Partial hookups, which connect to electricity and water (and are typically sufficient for smaller RVs);
• Dry hookups, which connect to electricity only; and
• No hookups at all, also known as boondocking (which is more common in undeveloped areas).

If the space only includes dry (or no) hookups, you’ll want to make certain the site has community bathrooms with hot showers on site.

4. Is the space pull-through or back-in?

Back-in sites provide a wide enough clearance to back your rig into place and connect with available hookups; pull-through sites allow you to drive straight in. Which space you prefer likely depends on how comfortable you are backing up your RV. Pull-through sites are most widely preferred, especially when towing a car behind the rig.

Note: If you will be towing a car, you might want to ask whether it will be necessary to unhook, particularly if you are only staying for one night and don’t need to use the car during the length of your stay.

5. Will a lot of campground traffic pass through this space?

Parks are typically heavily-trafficked, but depending on the number of spaces in the resort and the space’s proximity to the entrance and exit, you may experience more traffic than usual in certain spaces as people come and go. Many RV resorts are gated, so be sure and ask about that as well. Gates help reduce the amount of daily traffic the resort receives.

6. Does the space receive mostly shade or sun? Are there shady common areas available within the community?

This is fully a matter of preference, but it’s helpful to know before you go.

7. How close is the space to the water and other amenities?

Do you want a scenic or waterfront view, or are you looking for a space that offers privacy? Do you prefer to be close to the playground and pool, or away from the hustle and bustle? If you’re planning to use the community bathroom facilities, you might prefer to be close to the bathhouses, whereas if you are planning to use the showers in your RV, you might opt for farther away from this heavily trafficked area.

For requests such as these, it’s best to make your reservation early, keeping in mind that parks may be filled to capacity during the busy season.

8 . Are buddy sites available?

If you’re traveling with family or in a group where you intend to park two or more RVs close together, buddy sites allow you to park campers awning to awning and enjoy your combined spaces together.

One final word of advice: While online bookings are convenient, it’s best to call and talk to the community manager first about what you’re looking for and any special requests you may have. He or she knows the ins and outs of the community and can assist you with finding the right spot to suit your needs, to help ensure that you and your guests have the best vacation getaway possible.

Happy Camping!

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.